Does the rod terminate at the end of the wood portion of the reel seat or does it go down to the point where the cap goes on the the threaded portion of the reel seat. This for a 5 weight, fly rod with an up-lock seat. . Also a thank you for helping me regarding a decision on a downlock or up-lock seat. I have enjoyed reading the correspondence on this site.

I assume you mean an uplocking seat with just a metal end cap. It depends on the diameter of the rod butt. If the butt will not interfere with the fit of the cap, then by all means have the end of the rod flush with the end of the threads. Just make sure the reel seat arbor ends far enough from the rod butt end to allow the cap seat properly. The benefit of this is that all sections will be approximately the same length. If the rod butt diameter is big enough to interfere with the cap, then leave a recessed gap to allow the cap to seat properly. The difference in length of sections won't be more than 1.5 cm (3/4")

John... Spend some time "dry fitting" your reel seat and grip to the blank, and be sure to heed Ted's advice on compensating for the reel seat cap. This means putting the grip, seat, and end cap on the blank without using any glue. This will allow you to appreciate how everything will fit together when you're ready for final installation. First, slide the cork grip into place. Then, with the arbor installed, slide the reel seat onto the blank and put the reel seat cap in place. Hold the rod upright with the butt on your bench top. Apply a LITTLE downward pressure on the grip, just enough to snug things up. Without disturbing the reel seat location, remove the grip and mark the upper end of the reel seat on the blank with tape, grease pencil, or Sharpie pen. This will give you the proper final location for the seat. When you're ready to glue the seat on, repeat this process without gluing the grip and cap on. You can glue these on later. Take your time. A small soft rag dipped in rubbing alcohol will clean any unwanted or excess epoxy glue off the reel seat surfaces. One of the most common reel seat installation mistakes is allowing epoxy to fill the recesses on stamped reel seat hoods. Use rubbing alcohol and Q-tips or a toothpick and a very small piece of cloth soaked in alcohol to remove epoxy from these areas. Best, Vance